PM Modi in his Independence Day speech talks governance, inflation control

PM Modi in his Independence Day speech talks governance, inflation control

Without showcasing roadmap for any upcoming scheme, Modi talked about
reform and government's commitment to keep inflation under control.

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Kumar Vikram

New Delhi

August 16, 2016

UPDATED: August 16, 2016 12:08 IST

Modi giving his Independence Day address to the nation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Modi talked about reform and government's commitment to keep inflation under control.

He focused not on the government's work but its work culture.

He added govt has to complete the journey from 'Swarajya to 'Suraj'.

Unlike the two earlier Independence Day speeches, PM Narendra Modi made no major announcement of schemes on Monday. Without showcasing road map for any upcoming scheme, Modi talked about reform and government's commitment to keep inflation under control.

Modi on Monday said he has tried to stay away from populism which the past regimes practised to get recognition while emptying the exchequer. He said he wishes to focus not on the work done by the government, but on its work culture.

REFORM PERFORM TRANSFORM

Giving the "reform, perform and transform" slogan in his third Independence Day address, Modi said the government has to be sensitive, responsible, accountable, transparent and efficient to complete the journey from 'Swarajya (self-governance) to 'Suraj' (good governance).

"It has been a tradition in this country for governments to make populist announcements and emptying the exchequer to get recognition. I have tried to stay away from resorting to this kind of populism," he said.

JAN DHAN YOJANA IN 1st SPEECH

In his first Independence Day speech in 2014, Modi promised to launch his government's financial inclusion plan - the Jan Dhan Yojana - aimed at providing bank accounts to every household in the country. He used the occasion to invite global companies to invest in the manufacturing sector in India so as to create jobs by coining the term 'Make in India'. He had also talked about Skill India and Digital India in his first speech as the PM.

TEAM INDIA IN 2ND SPEECH

Similarly, in his second Independence Day speech, the PM had talked about 'Team India'. He had also showcased the road map for Startup and Standup India that aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among youth and women.

Jan Dhan Yojna announced first on the August 15, 2014 was one of the major flagship schemes of the government and so far, it has registered a substantial number of beneficiaries crossing the mark of 23 crore. However, recently, the finance ministry wrote to banks instructing them to open more accounts following some complaints. Similarly, project of connecting village panchayats with Internet is running far behind the target. Startup India, which was announced on August 15, 2015, has also seen not too many registrations so far.

IMPORTANCE TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

On this Independence Day, the PM announced a 20 per cent hike in the pension for freedom fighters and said museums would be built in several states to glorify the role of lesser known people from tribal communities who contributed to the freedom struggle.

Modi also announced that medical expenses of up to Rs 1 lakh for BPL families will be borne by the government. Expressing concern over hardships faced by poor families in cases of medical emergencies, he said, "if a poor person wants healthcare services, then medical costs of to Rs 1 lakh a year will be borne by the government."